Portable indicating holders and settable indicators therefor



R. GOURDON June 19, 1956 PORTABLE INDICATING HOLDERS AND SETTABLEINDICATORS THEREFOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed 001'.. 2O 1951 ATTORNEY `)une19, 1956 R, GOURDON 2,751,090

PORTABLE INDICATING HOLDERS AND SETTABLE INDICATORS THRREROR Filed Dot.20, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 |NVENTOR RObv-t Groar-doh BMW ATTORNEY R.GOURDON June 19, 1956 PORTABLE INDICATING HOLDERS AND SEITTABLEINDICATORS THEREFOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 2O 1951 Hg' ,7 lNVEN-roRRobert Gourdon 22 23 2e' f ATTORNEY F/g. l5

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My invention relates to holders or containers having settable indicatingdevices. The particular holders disclosed herein are intended especiallyfor use in apparatus for sorting articles, particularly mail.

The present application is a continuation-in-part of my copendingapplications for United States patents Serial No. 722,198, led January15, 1947, for Holders With Adjustable Identifying Codes and ArrangementsRelating Thereto, now abandoned; Serial No. 765,946, filed August 4,1947, for Apparatus for Sorting Articles Such as Mail, now Patent No.2,669,365 and Serial No. 17,984, tiled March 30, 1948, for Methods andMeans for the Sorting and Classification of Documents or Articles, nowPatent No. 2,696,919. Various features of apparatus for sortingarticles, utilizing the holders described herein, are disclosed in saidapplications, in my copending application Serial No. 722,197, -ledJanuary 15, 1947, for Apparatus for Indexing Articles, now abandoned, inmy Patent No. 2,469,035, dated May 3, 1949, for Electromechanical Devicefor Governing Predetermined Changes of Positions, and in my applicationSerial No. 300,160 led Iuly 22, 1952, which application is acontinuationiii-part of certain of the earlier applications.

The present invention comprises a receptacle or holder having one ormore indicating elements which are selectively and individually settablein different indicating positions. The holder illustrated is especiallydesigned for use in sorting or classifying apparatus. When so used, anarticle to be classified is placed in the receptacle and one or more ofthe indicating elements are set to indicate, by an established code,those characteristics of the article on which the classication is to bebased. The

holder containing the article is then moved through a conv veyor systemwhich includes multiple paths of travel leading to a number of receivingbins. The conveyor system includes mechanism which senses the codeindicated by the elements on the holder and directs the holder along aparticular path of travel corresponding to the indicated code. When theholder reaches the proper bin, it is unloaded.

In my previously mentioned copending applications, there is described amethod and apparatus for sorting mail. When the present invention isused in such apparatus, a letter or other piece of mail is placed ineach holder and the indicating elements of the holder are set toindicate, according to the code, the destination of the letter. Theholders then travel through the conveyor system along paths determinedby the code setting of the indicating elements, so that all lettersintended for the sarne destination are deposited in the same bin.

An object of the present invention is to provide a holder of the typedescribed including improved settable indicating means which is shieldedagainst disturbance by contact with external objects.

A further object is to provide a holder of the type described includingimproved indicating means which is visible or otherwise observable fromthe outside, even when the holder is stacked with a number of otherholders.

Another object is to provide an improved holder which may be stackedwith other holders so that all holders in the stack may have articlesinserted therein or discharged therefrom without the holder being takenfrom the stack.

A further object is to provide a holder having an openatent 'i CIS.

2,751,690 Patented June 19, 1956 able and closable discharge opening andimproved means for operating the same.

A further object is to provide an improved settable indicator. A furtherobject is to provide a settable indicator which is shielded againstcontact with external objects but which may be readily observed. Afurther object is to provide an indicator including a settable indicatorelement which may be sensed by a mechanical device without disturbingits indicating setting.

The foregoing and other objects of the invention are obtained byproviding a holder having Wide front and rear walls joined by narrowside walls to form a pocket. The rear wall is longer than the others soas to form upper and lower projecting flanges. The lower ilange servesas a support for the holder and both flanges are adapted to cooperatewith guiding slots provided in a supporting structure. The top of thepocket is open and the bottom is movable so that it may be opened andclosed. The opening mechanism includes a pair of rods whose lower endsengage the movable bottom. These rods extend upwardly through the pocketwith their upper ends accessible at the open top.

Each of the thickened side walls is provided in its outer surface with anumber of open recesses. Indicating elements are housed in said recessesand are settable in at least two dilferent positions. These elements maybe observed from the exterior of the holder in at least some of theirindicating positions.

The recesses may be located in any side of a holder. Where the holdersare adapted to be stacked, as are the relatively thin, flat mail holdersdescribed herein, it is advantageous to locate the recesses in the sideWalls, i. e., the walls which are exposed when the holders are stacked.Such a construction permits the simultaneous inspection of a set ofstacked holders, without any necessity for handling each holderseparately to observe its indicating elements.

The indicating elements may be of any suitable form, for example,cylinders, balls, or plates. Such elements are constructed so that theyalways remain within their recesses, in order to prevent disturbance ofthe settings of the elements and to permit easier handling of the hold-The externally visible parts of the indicating elements may carryindicating marks, either visual (for example, alphabetical, numerical,or -colored signs) or constructed sov that they be sensed by mechanicalcontact (for example, ribs or grooves), or by other known means (forexample, magnetization, electric charges, ete).

The several positions of the indicating elements in the recesses mayinclude a neutral position and one or more active positions. In theneutral position, the indicating element is either absent, retracted orarranged so as to offer either no indication or a neutral indication tothe eye or to an identifying feeler. ln each active position, theelement shows a mark forming a part of an identifying code, which codeis registered on the holder by means of one or more code indicatingelements. This ice ' code may be observed visually or by suitablemechanical or other apparatus capable of sensing a physical condition ofau indicating element as outlined above.

The indicating elements may be held in their selected settings by springmeans. In certain embodiments of the invention, these spring means biasthe indicating elements to bring ribs formed thereon into registry withnotches or slots on the front edges of the recesses, thereby locking theelements .in place.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the indicating elementsmay be reset only by a double change of position, for instance, by atranslatory motion followed by a rotary movement, which reduces thepossibility of accidental movement of said elements.

Each of the several indicating elements is individually set in a codeindicating position. The elements may be D set either successively orsimultaneously. Such a setting is hereinafter referred to as a codingoperation. The resetting of the elements to their neutral positions,hereinafter referred to as the decoding oper-ation, may also be effectedeither separately or simultaneously.

ln some embodiments of the invention, the `ccesses containing theindicating elements are provided with one opening through which thecoding and decoding opera tions are carried out and a second openingused only for identifying the code. In other embodiments, the coding,decoding and code sensing or identifying operations are all performedthrough the same opening.

The foregoing and 'other features of the invention are presented indetail in the following description, considered with reference to theaccompanying drawings, which illustrate several embodiments of theholders and the code indicating devices relating thereto. In the variousligurcs of the drawings, the same reference numerals denotecorresponding parts.

Fig. l is a perspective view of a holder embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view along the line H-ll of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view along the line lil-lli of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view 'of a modied form of holder.

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view `of the holder of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view of the holder of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of vanother modied form ofholder.

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view of the holder of Fig. 7.

Fig, 9 is an elevational view of a fragment of the right hand side ofthe holder of Fig. 1, showing one of the code indicating elements in itsrecess.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line X-X of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken along the line Xl-XI of Fig. 9.

Fig. Vl2 is a perspective view of the indicating vclement of Figs. 9 tol1.

Fig. 12A is a perspective view of a setting or sensing tool which may beused with the indicating clement of Figs. 9-12.

Fig. 13 shows diagrammatica'lly 'at A, B, C and D `the four indicatingpositions that 'the element o'f Figs. 9-l2 may assume.

Fig. 14 is a rear perspective view of part of the holder including thesprings for retaining the indicating elements in position.

Fig. 15 is an end elevational view of a modified form of indicatingelement.

Fig. 16 is a vertical sectional view of the indicating element of Fig.15.

Fig. 17 is an end elevational view of another form of indicatingelement.

Fig. 18 is a vertical sectional view of the indicating element of Fig.17.

Fig. 19 is a vertical sectional view of a moditied .form of indicatingmechanism.

Fig. 20 is a cross-sectional view on the line XX-XX of Fig. 19.

Fig. 2l is an elevational view of a-detail of the mechanism of Figs. 19and 20.

Fig. 22 is a vertical sectional view of another modified form ofindicating mechanism.

Fig. 23 is a sectional view on the line XXllI-XXill of Fig. 22.

Fig. 24 is a sectional view on the line XXfV-XXlV of Fig. 22.

Fig. 25 is a vertical sectional View of still another form 4 of codeindicating mechanism, XXV- XXV of Fig. 26.

Fig. 26 is a horizontal sectional view of the mechanism of Fig. 25.

Fig. 27 is a perspective View of a detail of the mechanism of Figs. 25and 26.

The holder illustrated in Figs. l to 3, is constructed in the shape of apocket, open at its upper end and coinprising a front wall 1, a rearwall 2 and two thickened side walls 3. Guter and inner reinforcingplates d and 5 are shown on the side walls 3. Y

The pocket has a bottom flap 6, shown in this inodilication as a plateriveted on the lower part the wall 1 and suflciently flexible so that itmay be opened to the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. When theflap is opened, the holder pocket is emptied by gravity.

The bottom tlap 6 is self-biased to its closed position shown in fulllines in Fig. 2, in which position it engages the rear wall 2. it may beopened by means of a pair of rods 7 which extend downwardly throughsuitabie guides in the pocket, and have their lower ends engaging thelap 6. The upper ends of the rods '7 are accessible through the open topof the pocket and are provided with flanges 7a to facilitate lifting ofthe rods after they have been depressed to open the pocket. When therods 7 are dcpressed to open the flap 6, the hap engages the outersurfaces of the rods and frictionally holds them against the rear wall2. The ap o is thereby maintained open until the rods 7 are positivelymoved upwardly. This upward movement of lrods 7 may readily beaccomplished with the aid of the flanges 7a, either manually or with asuitable mechanical device for engaging and lifting those flanges.

The rear Wall 2 is longer vertically than the front wall, so as toprovide upper and lower extending ilanges. The lower llang'e serves as asupport for the holder, While both flanges are adapted to engage slotsin a supporting structure so that the holder is held vertical. The upperilange is provided with a central notch 2a and the lower ilange with endnotches 2b. These notches may be engaged rby supporting or guiding railsso as to maintain a stack of holders in aligment.

In the modication illustrated in Figs. 4, 5 and 6, the 'front Wall 8ofthe pocket has an integral extension Sn. This lextension is flexibleand is normally bent 'inwardly to form the bottom of the pocket as shownlin Fig. 5. The front wall 8 is also provided with integral side ilanges8b, which 'take .the .place of the reinforcing .plates 4 of Figs. l and2. The edge of front wall 8 is fastened to the back wall 2 by crimping,as `indicated at 9 in Fig. 6.

Another modied form of openable bottom for the pocket is shown in Figs.7 and 8. There the pocket bottom is formed by arigid curved plate 10,mounted on the front `wall 1 by means of spring hinges 11.

Other modications of the bottom wall obviously might be designed. lnlcertain cases, this wall may be fixed il the pocket is to :be emptiedby turning it upside down.

In order to make it easier to grip the holder by mechanical means vformoving it laterally, four pieces 12 (Fig. 1) in the shape-of at inwardly`opening hooks are attached to the upper and lower ends of the sidewalls 3. These hooks facilitate endwise movement of the holder, eithermanually or `by a mechanical device. The side walls 3 are each providedwith a number of recesses 13 (Figs. l0 and '11). The reinforcing plates4 of Figs. l Vto 3 and the side flanges 8b of Figs. 4 and 6 are providedwith openings 1'4 aligned with lthe -recesses 13. An indicating element15 is located in cach-of these recesses.

Each indicating Velement 15 comprises a cylindrical body with a conicalrear end 15a and a diametrical rib 15b on its front end. The rib 15b haswidened tips 15C.

The recesses 13 are generally of the same form as the elements 15. -Eachrecess 13 has a cylindrical .portion 13a which receives the 'body of theelement 15 and is slightly larger so that the body is rotatable thereinand taken on the line arenoso translatable to a limited extent. Theouter end of this cylindrical portion 13a terminates at a taperedshoulder 13b leading to another cylindrical portion 13C of enlargeddiameter. The tips e are rotatable and translatable in the portion 13C.Engagement of tips 15e with shoulder 13b limits the inward movement ofthe element 15.

The edge of plate 4 around each opening 14 is bent inwardly to form afrusto-conical portion 14a, and notches 14b are cut therein (see Figs.l0 and 11). These notches are provided n diametrically opposed pairs.

Each indicating element 15 is biased toward the outer end of the recessby a flexible leaf spring 16 which is shown as being formed from theinner reinforcing plate 5 by a stamping and cutting operation. Theconical end 15a of the indicating element projects into an opening 16aformed in the leaf spring 16. When the rib 15 is aligned with a pair ofnotches 14b, the leaf spring 16 holds the rib in the notches and angularmovement of the element 15 is thereby prevented.

In order to change an element from one angular position to another, itis necessary to push it inwardly in opposition to the leaf spring 16 soas to release it from the two notches with which it has been engaged,and then to turn it while holding it inwardly. If the element 15 isturned to bring the rib 15b into alignment with another pair of notchesand then released, the leaf spring 16 again forces the rib forward intothe new pair of notches, thereby retaining the element in a new angularposition. It is manifest that it is almost impossible for any accidentalimpact or vibration to produce a combination of forces that would becapable of translating and rotating an indicating element to change itsindicating position once it has been set in the notches 14b.Furthermore, since the element 15 is always held securely completelywithin the recess 13, it cannot readily corne into contact with anyexternal object which might accidentally change its position. Theinwardly bent portion 14a of the plate 4 blocks the outer end of therecess 13 suiciently to prevent movement of the element out of therecess and to protect the element against accidental contacts wihexternal objects.

There is shown in Fig. 12A the operating end of a tool 17 which may beused either for setting the indicating element from one angular positionto another or for sensing the position of the element. When used as asetting tool, the end of the tool is inserted through the aperture 14 sothat the slot 17a in the end of the tool receives the rib 15b on theouter end of the indicating element. As the tool i7 is pushed fartherin, the at end of the tool engages the at surfaces on the end of themain body of the indicating element. The element may then be pushed inagainst the spring 16 until the tips 15e` are disengaged from thenotches 14b. The element 15 may then be rotated by simply turning thetool, while holding the element pressed inwardly against the spring 16.When the element has been turned to the desired new angular position,the tool may be released and the spring 16 then' moves the tips 15Coutwardly into the new notches 14b.

It is not necessary to have the slot 17a aligned with the rib 15b beforethe tool is inserted to engage the indicating element. If the tool slotis not so aligned, then the flat end of the tool engages the outer endof the rib and if the tool is then rotated, its fiat end slides over theend of the rib until the slot is aligned with the rib, Whereupon the ribenters the slot. The element does not rotate until the rib enters theslot, even though the tips 15e have been pushed in, free of the notches14b, because the at end of the tool cannot apply to the elementsutlicient torque to overcome the friction between the element and thespring 16.

When the tool 17 is used as a sensing tool, it is rst turned to apredetermined angular position, corresponding to one of the fourpossible positions of the indicating element 15. The end of the tool isthen pushed inwardly against the element 15 which is to be checked. Ifthe angular position of the element 15 corresponds with that of the tool17, then the tool 17 can move inwardly until its ilat end engages theilat surfaces on the end of the body of element 15, and can then movethe element further against the spring 16 until the tips 15C engage theshoulder 13b. However, if the angular positions of the rib 15b and theslot 17a do not correspond, then the at end of the tool 17 engages theend of the rib 15b, and when the inward travel of the element 15 isstopped by the shoulder 13b, the tool 17 is in a different position(farther out of the recess) than in the case where the slot and the ribare in angular correspondence. By using a simple inward thrustingmovement of the tool 17, it is possible to check whether or not theangular position of the indicating element corresponds to that of theslot in the tool. The diiference in the travel of the tool under the twodifferent conditions may be used to operate an indicator or to perform acontrol function.

The positions of the indicating elements are observable from outside theholder, either by visual inspection or by the use of sensing tools suchas the tool 17. It should be noted that the observation of theseelements can be carried out either one element at a time or all elementssimultaneously. When carried out simultaneously, a number of tools mustbe used, corresponding to the number of elements. Furthermore, thesesensing or identifying operations can be performed when the holders arestacked, since the indicating elements are located in the side walls ofthe holders, which side walls are accessible when the holders arestacked.

Each indicating element has four different indicating positions, shownat A, B, C, D in Fig. 13. Each element by itself is capable of givingfour indications, each having a meaning established by any arbitrarilyselected code. If two elements are used together, there are sixteenpossible combinations of elements and therefore sixteen different codeindications. Eleven elements, as shown in Fig. 1, can give a number ofindications equal to (4)11, or 4,194,304.

When these holders are used, for example, in a mail sorting system, itis possible that a simple system might only require fourclassifications, and it would then be only necessary to use oneindicating element on each holder. In a very complex sorting system,there may be thousands of classifications. In such a system, acombination of indicating element positions for each classiiicationwould be established by the code.

It would be possible to use one group of two or three elements toestablish a state classification, another group to establish a cityclassification, and so forth.

Since indicating elements are provided on both ends of the holder, it ispossible to have the holder indicating elements set or coded at bothends. In that event, a sensing device adjacent one end of the holder cancheck it for one code while another sensing device at the opposite endof the holder checks it for a different code at the same time.

In a complex system, several successive sensing or identifyingoperations may be required. It is therefore essential that the positionof the indicating element should not be disturbed by the sensingoperation. The structure described above meets this requirement, sincethe sensing operation is a linear movement of the sensing tool, while achange in position of the element requires a linear movement followed bya rotary movement.

Two minor modifications of the form of indicating element shown in Figs.9-12 are illustrated in Figs. 15-18. In these forms, the tips 15C ofFigs. 9-12 are replaced, insofar as their function of limiting theinward travel of the element is concerned, by a disc of greater diameterthan the body of the element. In Figs. 15 and 16, the disc is shown at22 and is polygonal, while in Figs. 17 and 18 the corresponding disc 23is circular. In both cases,

it forms an extension of a cylindrical body 24 having a conicallytapered rear end 24a; the code mark on the front face of the element maybe formed either by a rib, or by a diametrical groove 26, as shown. Whena groove is used, the cutting-out of the edge 14a of opening 14.- isreversed, the notches 14.5 being replaced by projections or teeth; thegeneral shape of the` recess 13 may remain unaltered.

Various modifications of indicating elements will now be described,which .are suitable for use in installations where only two indicatingpositions for cach indicating element are required. These modificationsalso illustrate mechanism for effecting the return to normal of theindieating elements in all recesses.

In the modification illustrated in Figs. 19 to 21, each of severalrecesses 27 houses a pair of jaws 2g and 29 pivoted respectively onpivot pins 3b and 21, and biased toward each other by means of aU-shaped leaf spring 33. Near its front end, cach jaw has a projectionor tooth 34 or 3S. On the inside of side flange 8b, between each pair ofrecesses 27, is attached, for instance by rivets, a plate 36 (Fig. 21),having its ends cnt narrow to form yieldable tongues 37.

The jaws serve as indicating devices, and are movable between open andclosed positions. The spring 33 biases the jaws toward their closedpositions. They are settable in their open positions by insertion of aplunger 38, as shown in the lower part of Fig. 19, so as to spread jaws28 and 29 and force the tongues 37 outwardly until the ends of the jawsenter into openings 37a formed in the tongues. The tongues 37, beingyieldable, return to their original positions and abut against theprojections 34 and 35, when the punch 33 is withdrawn. The spring 33biases the jaws toward each other.

The sensing or observation of the code setting may be carried out eitherby plungers similar to 38 but of smaller diameter, operating through thesame aperture. Alternatively, plungers 39 (Fig. 20) may be used,operating through openings 39a in the front wall of the holder. lf aplunger 39 can come into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 20,then the jaws are in their open position. .lf the plunger 39 is stoppedbefore it reaches the dotted line position, it shows that the jaws arepressed against each other in closed position. The sensing operationthrough the side opening 39a is to be preferred, because then thesensing tool has no tendency to change the position of the indicatingelements.

ll the indicating devices may be returned to closed position by means ofa rod 40, extending vertically through the wall 3, and carrying severalspring lingers 41, one in each recess. lf the rod d() is moveddownwardly from the position shown in Fig. 19, the ngers 41 engage firstthe upper tongues 37 and then the lower ones, forcing them outwardly soas to disengage the end of each jaw from its associated opening 37a. Thejaws shut again. The motion of the rod 49 has no action on those jawswhich have remained closed. The jaws 28 and 29 may be observed visuallythrough either the front aperture or the side aperture 39a when they arein their closed positions, but are not readily visible when they areopen.

In the modiiication illustrated in Figs. 22, 23 and 24, each recess 21contains a housing formed by two yieldable plates 42 and 43 having twosets of opposed concave recesses to provide two positions for a ball 44,which serves as an indicating element. The normal or neutral position ofthis ball is that shown in dotted lines in Fig. 22 nearest the opening14 of the reinforcing plate 4. A plunger 45, shown in Fig. 22 on theoutside of the holder, may be used to move the ball from the neutralposition to the active one. A feeler 47 (Fig. 23) may then check theposition of the ball for each recess, either through a lateral opening46, or through Vthe opening 14 itself. As iu the case of the arrangementof Figs. 19 to 21, the sensing .or checking through the lateral openingd6 is preferred, because the sensing tool then has no tendency to changethe indicating position of the elements.

A device is provided for setting all the balls to their neutralpositions. This device includes a vertically movable rod 48, housed inthe wall of the pocket and provided with a cam 49 for each recess. Whenthis rod is pressed down, the cam surfaces 49 pass through slots in theplates d?. and 43, engaging any balls which be in their rearwardpositions and forcing them forward into their neutral positions.

in Figs. 25 to 27, the indicating clement is in the form of a doubleshutter 50 having wings Stia, Sllb (Fig. 27). The shutter is pivoted onpins 52 in a recess 55. A plunger 53 is provided for setting theindicating element Sil from its normal position, shown in full lines inFig.

26, to its active position, shown in dotted lines. The end of wing Stiahas a V-shaped groove 5a for hooking on a latch spring 56 when in theactive position. The shape of the recess 55 is such that in neutralposition, the shutter wing Sila abuts against a shoulder 57 of therecess, as shown in Fig. 26, being biased to that position by a returnspring 58, shown in Fig. 25. The sensing or identifying operation, todetermine the position of shutter 50, may be per-formed either with aplunger like plunger 53, or with a plunger 59 entering through a sideopening 60, as shown in Fig. 26.

Again, the sensing operation through the side opening Git is preferred,since the plunger 59 then has no tendency to change the position of theindicating element. lf the element 5t) is in its normal position, theplunger 59 only pushes the wing Stia more tightly against the shoulder57. if the element Sil has been set in its active position, with wing50ct latchcd by spring S6, then the plunger 59 will pass under wing Stlbto the dotted line position of Fig. 26, without engaging the element 50.

The indicating elements 59 may all be set back to neutral by means of avertical rod 61 having cam surfaces 62. When rod 61 is pusheddownwardly, the cams 62 force the wings Sila out of engagement with thesprings 56, so that the spring SS returns the elements to their neutralpositions.

The indicating elements may have many forms other than thosespecifically described. it should be noted that in all the variousmodications of indicating elements disclosed, the elements remaincompletely within their recesses at all times and so are protectedagainst contact with external objects which might change theirindicating positions. Furthermore, in all the modifications, thepositions of the indicating elements are not disturbed by the sensingoperation.

In all the moditcations, a difference in the position of an indicatingelement produces a difference in the travel of a sensing tool, whichdifference in travel may be utilized to produce a-control effect, asdescribed in my copending applications mentioned above.

lt is manifest that numerous mechanically equivalent modifications maybe introduced into the arrangements mentioned above and that numerousdifferent forms of execution may be planned, without departing from thescope of the invention as Clened in the accompanying claims.

i claim:

1. A settable indicator comprising a support having at least oneoutwardly opening recess, an indicating element completely within saidrecess and movable therein between at least 4two indicating positions,means in alignment with said opening for releasably retaining saidclement. in any of its indicating positions, said element beingobservable from outside said recess in at least one 0f its indicatingpositions, and means partly blocking the outer end or' the recess toprevent movement of the element therefrom and to .protect said elementagainst accidental movement between indicating positions by contact withexternal objects.

2. A settable indicator comprising a support having at least one.outwardly Aopening recess, an indicating element completely within saidrecess and movable therein between at least two indicating positions,means for releasably retaining said element in any of its indicatingpositions, a sensing device insertable in said recess, said elementbeing effective to modify the limit of travel of the sensing device intothe recess in accordance with the position of the element, so that thesensing device travel indicates the element position, and means partlyblocking the outer end of the recess to prevent movement of the elementtherefrom and to protect said element against accidental movementbetween indicating positions by contact with external objects.

3. A settable indicator comprising a support having at least oneoutwardly opening recess, an indicating element completely within saidrecess and movable therein in one sense between at least two indicatingpositions, means for releasably retaining said element in any of itsindicating positions, a feeler movable into said recess in a sensedifferent from the sense of movement of said element between itsindicating positions, said element being effective to modify the limitof travel of the feeler into the recess in accordance with theindicating position of the element, so that the feeler travel indicatesthe element position, said feeler being ineffective to move the elementfrom one indicating position to another because of the difference insaid senses of movement, and means partly blocking the outer end of therecess to prevent movement of the element therefrom and to protect saidelement against accidental movement between indicating positions bycontact with external objects.

4. A settable indicator comprising a support having at least oneoutwardly opening recess, an indicating element completely within saidrecess and movable therein between two indicating positions, means forreleasably retaining said element in either of its indicating positions,a feeler insertable in said recess, said element being effective when inone only of said positions to modify the limit of travel of the feelerinto the recess in accordance with the position of the element, so thatthe feeler travel indicates the element position, and means partlyblocking the outer end of the recess to prevent movement of the elementtherefrom and to protect said element against accidental movementbetween indicating positions by contact with external objects.

5.v A settable indicator comprising a support having at least oneoutwardly opening recess, an indicating element completely within saidrecess and rotatable therein between a plurality of different angularindicating positions, means for releasably retaining said element in anyof its indicating positions, a sensing device insertable in said recess,said sensing device having an end surface complementary to the endsurface of said element, said element being effective to modify thelimit of travel of the sensing device into the recess depending uponwhether the angular position of the sensing device end surface is incorrespondence or non-correspondence with the angular position of theelement, so that the sensing device travel indicates the elementposition, and means partly blocking the outer end of the recess toprevent movement of the element therefrom and to protect said elementagainst accidental movement between indicating positions by Contact withexternal obje ts.

6. A settable indicator comprising a support, at least one cylindricaloutwardly opening recess in said support, a generally cylindricalindicating element completely within each said recess and rotatabletherein, said element having on its outer end an index by which itsangular position within said recess may be observed, and means inalignment with said opening for releasably reJ taining said element inat least two angular positions.

7. A settable indicator as defined in claim 6, wherein said retainingmeans comprises a non-circular portion at one end of said cylindricalelement, and including stationary means for engaging said non-circularportion to prevent rotation thereof from either -of said angularpositions, said element being movable lengthwise of' said recess out ofengagement with said stationary means, and spring means engaging theopposite end of said element and biasing it into engagement with saidstationary means.

8. A settable indicator as defined in claim 6, wherein said indexcomprises a transversely extending portion of said outer end terminatingin a different plane than the remainder of said outer end, and saidretaining means comprises a frusto-conical projection extending inwardlyfrom the outer end of the recess and having its inner end formed toengage said transversely extending portion in different angularpositions thereof to hold said index against rotation, and spring meansengaging the inner end of said element and biasing it into engagementwith said frusto-conical projection, said element being movable inwardlyagainst said spring means to disengage said transversely extendingportion from the frusto-conical projection so that the index may berotated to change its angular position.

9. A settable indicator as delined in claim 6, wherein said index has atransverse rib at its outer end and said retaining means comprises afrusto-conical projection having its narrow end extending inwardly fromthe outer end of the recess and terminating in notches formed to receivesaid rib in different angular positions thereof, and spring meansengaging the inner end of said element and biasing it into engagementwith said frusto-conical projection, said element being movable inwardlyagainst said spring means to disengage it from the frusto-conicalprojection so that it may be rotated.

l0. A settable indicator comprising a support having at least onegenerally cylindrical aperture extending therethrough between front andrear surfaces thereof, a generally cylindrical indicating elementrotatable within said aperture, and having a transverse rib on its frontend which indicates the angular position of the element, front and rearplates respectively attached to the front and rear surfaces of saidsupport, said front plate having an opening aligned with said apertureand smaller in diameter than said indicating element, so that the edgeof the plate around the opening is effective to prevent movement of theelement forwardly out of the aperture, said edge of the front platebeing turned inwardly into said aperture and notched to receive said ribin a plurality of different angular indicating positions, and a springon said rear plate engaging the rear end of said element and biasingsaid element forwardly to hold said rib in engagement with said notches,said spring and notches cooperating to retain said rib and element inany of said angular indicating positions, said element being rotatableby pushing it inwardly against said spring to disengage said rib fromsaid notches.

ll. A settable indicator as defined in claim l0, in which saidindicating element has a generally conical rear end, and said spring isa leaf spring having a generally circular aperture aligned with the tipof said conical rear end, said apertured leaf spring cooperating withsaid conical rear end to center and guide said element.

l2. A settable indicator as defined in claim 10, in which said notchesextend only through the inturned portion of said edge, so that said ribcannot project beyond the outer surface of said front cover plate.

13. A settable indicator comprising a support having at least onegenerally cylindrical aperture extending therethrough between front andrear surfaces thereof, a generally cylindrical indicating elementrotatable within said aperture, and having a transverse rib on its frontend which indicates the angular position of the element, front and rearplates respectively attached to the front and rear surfaces of saidsupport, said front plate having an opening aligned with said apertureand smaller in diameter than said indicating element, so that the edgeof the plate around the opening is effective to prevent movement of theelement forwardly out of the aperture, said edge .of the front platebeing tur-ned inwardly into said aperture and notched to receive saidrib in a plurality of diilerent angular indicating positions, and aspring on said rear plate engaging the rear end of said element andbiasing said velement forwardly to hold said rib i-n engagement withsaid notches, said spring and notches cooperating to retain said rib andelement in any of said angular indicating positions, said element beingrotatable by pushing it inwardly against said spring to disengage saidrib from said notches, said element having a laterally extending portionon its front end, said rccess having a iront portion widened to receivesaid laterally extending portion, the rear wall of the `ront portion ofsaid recess serving as a stop to limit the rearward movement `of saidelement.

l. A portable indicating holder for articles, comprisside wall means andbottom wall means cooperating to for-m a pocket for receiving anarticle, one of said wall means having at least one outwardly openingrecess, an indicating element completely within said recess, saidclement bein-g movable in its recess between at least two indicatingpositions and observable from outside said pocket in at least one ofsaid two positions, means for rclcasably retaining said element in anyof its indicating positions, and means partly blocking the outer end ofsaid recess to prevent movement of said element therefrom to protectsaid element against accidental movement between said indicatingpositions by contact with external objects.

15. A portable indicating holder for articles, comprising two relativelywide walls, two relatively narrow side walls between said wide walls, abottom, said walls and said bottom cooperating to form a pocket forreceiving an article, at least one of said side walls having at leastone outwardly opening recess, an indicating element completely withinsaid recess, said element being movable in its recess between at leasttwo indicating positions and observable from outside said pocket in atleast one or said two portions, means for releasably 4retaining saidelement in any of its indicating positions, and means partly blockingthe outer end of said recess to prevent movement of said elementtherefrom, and to protect said clement against accidental movementbetween said indicating positions by contact with external objects.

16. A portable indicating holder as dened in claim 15, said holder beingstackable with others by placing the wide walls thereof together, saidindicating element being observable when the holder is so stacked.

17. A portable indicating holder for articles, comprising two relativelywide walls, two relatively narrow side walls between said wide walls, abottom, said walls and bottom cooperating to form a pocket tor receivingan article, each of said side walls lhaving at least one outwardlyopening recess, an indicating element completely within said recess,said element being movable therein between at least two indicatingpositions and observable from outside said pocket in at least one ofsaid positions, means for releasably retaining said element in any ofits indicating positions, means partly blocking the outer end of saidrecess to prevent movement of said element therefrom and to protect saidelement against accidental movement between said indicating positions bycontact with external objects, said holder being stackable with othersby placing the wide walls thereof in contact, the indicating elements inboth side walls being observable when the hol der is so stacked withothers.

18. A portable indicating holder for articles as dened in claim 17, inwhich said pocket is open at the top for receiving an article, and saidbottom is openable to discharge an article from said pocket.

19. A portable indicating holder for articles as defined in claim 18,including means accessible through said open top for opening and closingsaid bottom.

20. A portable indicating holder for articles, comprising relativelywide front and rear walls, relatively narrow side walls between saidwide walls, an openable bottom, said walls and said bottom cooperatingto form a pocket for receiving an article, said rear wall being longerthan the other walls and forming a projecting lower llange forsupporting said pocket, at least one of said side walls having at leastone outwardly opening recess, an indicating element completely withinsaid recess, said element being movable in its recess between at leasttwo indicating positions, means for releasably retaining said element inany o its indicating positions, and means partly blocking the outer endof said recess to prevent movement of said element therefrom, and toprotect said element against accidental movement between said indicatingpositions by Contact with external objects, said holder being stackablew31 others by placing the wide walls thereof together, s.k ndicatingelement being observable in at least one of its positions and saidbottom being openable when the holder is so stacked.

2l. A portable indicating holder as defined in claim 20, in which saidpoel-:et has an open top which is accessible when the holder is stacked,and including spring means biasing said bottom closed, a pair of rods,one at each end of said pocket, said rods having their lower endsengaging said openable bottom and extending upwardly thro-ugh saidpocket with their upper ends accessible through said open top, said rodsbeing pushable downwardly to open said bottom and frictionally engagedby the opened bottom to hold the rods in their downwardly displacedposition.

22. A portable indicating holder as in claim 2l, including lateralprojections at the upper ends of said rods to facilitate an upwardrestoring movement thereof to allow said bottom to close.

23. A portable indicating holder for detached articles, comprising sidewall means and bottom wall means cooperating to form a pocket open onlyat the top for receiving and carrying a detached article, one of saidwall means having at least one outwardly opening recess, an indicatingelement within said recess, said element being movable in its recessbetween at least two indicating positions and observable from outsidesaid pocket in at least one of said two positions, means for releasablyretaining said element in any of its indicating positions.

24. A portable indicating holder for detached articles, comprising tworelatively wide walls, two relatively narrow side walls between saidwide walls, a bottom, said walls and bottom cooperating to form a pocketfor receiving and carrying a detached article, said holder beingstackable with other holders by placing the wide walls thereof incontact, each of said side walls having at least one outwardly openingrecess, an indicating element within said recess, said element beingmovable therein between at least `two indicating positions andobservable from outside said pocket in at least one of said positions,means for releasably retaining said element in any of its indicatingpositions, said holder being stackable with others by placing the widewalls thereof in contact, the indicating elements in both side wallsbeing observable when the holder is so stacked with others` ReferencesCited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 612,541 Brown Oct.18, 1898 657,834 Ruttman Sept. l1, 1900 1,421,715 Pue July 4, 19221,526,695 Clarke Feb. 17, 1925 1,545,686 Olson July 14, 1925 1,655,476Regan Jan. 10, 1928 1,994,153 Taylor Mar. 12, 1935 2,131,503 ElliottSept. 27, 1938 2,416,398 Marchand Feb. 2-5, 1947 2,600,038 Whaley June10, 1952

